INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STEAMER ALBATROSS. 217 



"We are greatly indebted to Mr. Hunt for intelligent and faithful 

 service during the time he was attached to the Albatross. Be superin- 

 tended the installation of new boilers, the general and thorough over- 

 hauling of machinery, and designed new propellers, which have given 

 great satisfaction. lie took an active interest in the work of the 

 vessel, and was always ready to forward it in every possible way. 



VY. R. Rush, lieutenant junior grade, reported for duty November 6, 

 and on the same day Mr. A. B. Alexander was ordered to special duty 

 in connection with statistical investigations concerning the acclimated 

 fishes of the Pacific Coast. 



1 was sent to the United States naval hospital at Mare Island on 

 November 10 for treatment, having been taken with grippe October 17; 

 1 finally returned to the vessel December 9. 



Ensign Philip Williams, United States Navy, reported for duty 

 November 15, and on the following day Ensign 0. F. Hughes, United 

 States Navy, was detached. 



Lieut. W. R. Bush, United States Navy, was detached December 15. 



Passed Assistant Engineer Howard Gage, United States Navy, 

 reported for duty in charge of the machinery on the 23d, having been 

 detached from the Monterey. 



The vessel was ready for sea on December 31, and sailed for San 

 Diego January 2, 181)4, arriving on the evening of the 4th, after a 

 boisterous trip. 



About the 1st of March, 1894, numerous articles appeared in the 

 newspapers concerning an unprecedented destruction of fish life along 

 rlie southern California coast, and particularly in the vicinity of Santa 

 Monica and Redondo Beach. Thinking the matter worthy of attention, 

 I directed Mr. N. B. Miller to take passage on board the steamship 8a mta 

 Rosa on March 3, prepared to make an exhaustive investigation and pre- 

 serve a sufficient number of specimens for future examination. He 

 returned on the 6th and submitted the following report: 



On the 25th of February an article appeared in the San Francisco Examiner, 

 stating- that all sorts of rumors were afloat to account for the great numbers of dead 

 fish that had been coming ashore during the previous week, and that the line of fish 

 extended from Santa Barbara to San Diego. 



] commenced an investigation by going on hoard the different vessels as they 

 arrived at this port from either the north or south. The schooner Jessie D. arrived on 

 February 28 from Cerros Island. Captain Hardwick reported that between Point 

 San Tomas and San Diego he passed through large numbers of fish swimming near 

 the surface, and apparently going south; the greatest numbers offish were seen at 

 night, and he was unable to recognize any but barracuda; lie thinks, however, there 

 were other fish among them. The schooner Excelsior arrived the same day from San 

 Pedro, and reported that no dead iish were to be seen on the surface of the water 

 lxf ween that port and San Diego, but great numbers were observed on the beaches at 

 Santa Monica. Redondo, and Newport. Captain Alexander, of the steamer Santa 

 Itosa, reported the same facts, and suggested Redondo as the best place to make an 

 investigation. The fishermen of San Diego have found no dead fish either at Point 

 Loma or on the beach in False Bay. 



